When two teams are so evenly matched, it often comes down to one play that decides the game. The 5A Division I regional final between Highland Park and Mansfield Legacy was that.
4th and goal on the eight-yard line for Legacy with 49 seconds left, Kendall Catalon threw a fade route to the left corner of the end zone intended for Hayden Flowers, but as it was heading towards Flowers hands, defensive back George Stewart broke it up to seal the 14-7 victory the for the Scots.
“That was a great pass by (Catalon) and our guy made a play. These games usually come down to a couple plays.” Highland Park head coach Randy Allen said as he was still processing the final plays of the game.
The biggest play of the game was a 3rd and goal from the 25, when John Stephen Jones threw a screen pass to Paxton Alexander and he did the rest, running through the Broncos defense into the end zone to give the Scots (12-2) a 14-0 lead. The previous play, the Broncos had their stop, but Highland Park was called for ineligible man downfield that Legacy accepted giving the Scots another chance to score, and they did.
The first half was a defensive struggle for both teams. Eight of the 11 drives resulted in punts, and one of those drives was a kneel to end the half. Highland Park was able to control the field position pinning Legacy inside the five-yard line twice and inside the 20 twice.
“Our punters have been so good about getting the ball inside the five-yard line,” Allen said. “That’s a credit to Michael Clarke and the punt team and even John Stephen (Jones) when he pouched one down there.”
The only score of the first half came on a John Stephen Jones 15-yard touchdown pass to Parker Alexander to make it 7-0. The Scots scoring drive was aided by three Bronco penalties, two of those resulting in first downs.
Legacy (11-3) capped off their only scoring drive of the night on 4th down when Catalon connected with Keaton Davis for a 17-yard pass and score with 7:49 remaining in the game.
Highland Park will face the winner of Denton Ryan vs Colleyville Heritage on Saturday December 10th at 1:30 at the Star.
“I think our guys are peaking at the right time,” Allen said. “This is the type of win that can propel to be even better than we were tonight.”
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